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Clark/Division (Red)
"woweeee, delicious!!! try the german riesling!!! it goes great with the spicy food... they start you off with free naan & this delicious…" read more »
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great deli. half pastrami and chicken matzo meal: delicious. eat here every time i'm passin' through the area, even if it's just to grab a bagel.
oh, and i don't usually give a damn about service or how nice the folx behind the counter are, but these guys are big sweethearts. one day on my way some asshole was givin em a hard time about sealing up his soup containers and they were as accommodating as could be. that was the push for the 5th star.
eat here. it's good.
I love extra lean corned beef. Not lean corned beef. Extra lean corned beef. When I order it anywhere other than Ashkenaz, I still end up pulling half the fatty meat from my sandwich. At Ashkenaz, when I order my corned beef extra lean, I get my corned beef EXTRA LEAN!
Other than that, they have good fresh sides and a huge variety of soft drinks and desserts. I've never left Ashkenaz disappointed.
Back in the day, I used to go to Chalfin's all the time. Loved that place. I heard it went downhill and closed, so today hubby and I went to Ashkenaz.. ( I love saying that: "Ashkenaz")
Anywho....they were out of the cabbage soup (wah!) so I had the lox and bagle plate with a side of pickled green tomatoes and hubby had the chicken and noodle soup and a half a pastrami with slaw. My God, but was that a delicious lunch.
The Lox plate had plenty of chive cream cheese, cucumbers, onions and tomatoes. The bagel was toasted just perfectly. The salmon was silky smooth. The tomatoes are salty and delicious. I bet that cabbage soup would have been wonderful (wah!!).
Hubby's pastrami was loaded on rye with mustard and a side of horseradish. DELISH! The soup was very flavorful. We were so pleased.
The guy behind the counter could tell you everything about everything in every salad or spread in the refridgerated section. I was amazed. His knowledge of the variety of salads was astounding and he was very polite.
I guess the only negative was I wanted a place with table service. Maybe something on the Gold Coast by way of a Kosher deli with table service does exist, but my Urbanspoon app didn't find one.
It's a smallish joint, so not a big deal on the table service. Would have been nice though. For the Gold Coast, I thought the pricing was fine. I'm sure there's cheaper on the North side, but we weren't on the North side.
Kudos to Ahskenaz. "Ahshkehnnahzz".
This place rocks. I'm a fan.
If it were a little less expensive, I'd give it five stars.
Lox-O-Meter points to "O" for overpriced but old school.
You can get an authentic Yid-dish here. It does smell like my Grandmother's matzo ball soup in here. The hand sliced lox is unbeatable. You can dependably buy chubs, which are harder and harder to find in Chicago.
But, prices really are at the Outer Limits of Reasonable. Sandwiches taste great but the portions for the price are very average.
In all candor, I liked and was a devotee of the lower rent Bagel Nosh when it was a bit north on State St. Their food was every bit as good, very reasonably priced with very generous portions, and the service and their wonderful manager, Harvey (for those of you truly old schoolers who remember), made the place warm - exactly the opposite of Ashkenaz.
The people who work in Ashkenaz have the personality of a post. They are annoyingly indifferent and slow.
Some seriously good food.
In all honesty & seriousness, this will become one of my regular lunch spots. Ashkenaz smells wonderful, tastes wonderful, and is just simply wonderful. They have nice specials, such as the boxed lunch special which is whole sandwich, side, chips, and treat & also a half sandwich and 2 sides (including soup!). I had the Matzo ball soup, 1/2 of a corned beef sammie on rye, and a cranberry juice on a cold Saturday morning. I entered a bit sluggish & crabby, but left happy & full. Hip, hip, hurray!
Don't go here in a hurry though. The staff is a bit slow & seems honestly confused by what you're ordering. Also, it's a bit pricey & was v. surprised when our lunch cost $22.00. It takes awhile to get your food, but once you do you'll be oh so satisfied.
Stumbled upon this place more or less by luck with my father while visiting Chicago. Its both modest and delicious!
The corned beef was moist and plentiful and the coleslaw was fresh and tasty! My kind of place! We ordered, paid and a couple of minutes later our freshly sliced sandwiches were ready to be devoured. Didn't take long either!
We ate on their gorgeous little terrace, in the sun and people-watched between every bite we took. Man do I love Chicago. And corned beef.
An amazing, affordable experience that I recommend to anyone who wants a good deli in the windy city!
I can't speak to the deli meats, but steer clear of the deli salads.
Ordered in a pound of egg salad and a tuna salad sandwich. Being on bedrest with limited access to outside food, I was disproportionately excited about this meal, so my disappointment may be disproportionate, but I think not.
Both salads were, for lack of a better word, "off". The tuna salad tasted overly fishy and as if it had been watered down. I couldn't finish it because it just didn't sit right. The egg salad also just tasted wrong. My husband confirmed both judgments.
pppbbbttthhhhh....(yes, that is a raspberry sound).
I did not know what Sable fish was. Had never eaten it. This made my sexy Semite quite verklempt, so he schlepped this shiksa down to have a little nosh. Mazel tov!
I am not a member of the Tribe, but am an afficionado of Jewish delis, having grown up eating countless corned beef sandwiches with my dad and family, who love deli food in general. Brown mustard and dill pickles, Reubens and knishes and potato pancakes! And I have actually been known to derisively refer to some mass produced bagels as "too goy" for me.
Got my sable fish sandwich, on a bagel with cream cheese. Super rich white fish, could almost be a good substitute for forbidden Chilean Sea Bass if prepared differently. Plus, oily fish is brain food, and also lovin' on those heart attack preventing Omega 3 fatty acids. In other words, yum, healthy yum. Am now anxious to try different varieties - smoked? pickled? Go here for the sable, yes, because it doesn't seem to be readily available at many places.
My companion, DeliciousDeliMensch, had a Reuben sandwich and matzo ball soup. I'd never had matzo ball soup - and found it to be good enough, nothing exceptional. I probably need to have a more delicious variety.
The Reuben, ACH! ACH! Not enough sauerkraut - but this is always my complaint. Wanted it to be tangier (that's "more sour", not a city in Morocco). The dressing on it was some weird beet schmata that just didn't taste quite right. The corned beef. Eh. Not one of the better Reubens, but eh - in a pinch, what can you do?
Oh, and the SERVICE! Please! *clutches heart* Can we GET some around here before we die of hunger and start stinkin' up the place? Two people don't need to be working on a large order, one can take other people's orders, no? We were in the deli for 20 minutes before we got our food. People!
And pricey. Quite pricey for deli food, I thought. But then this is the Gold Coast.
It's nice that this place is a little oasis of real in the creeping homogeneity of the chain restaurants and expensive condos, but I think they need to get back to their roots a bit. They've been here forever, apparently not updated since the 70's, which - good. But look who's talkin'. Will you eat something already? Yer so skinny, come let me have a look at you! A WASP telling this Jewish deli it needs to be more Jewish? *pinch* I'm breakin' my mother's heart, heah!
I start to feel a little sad and desperate around Passover, craving my mom's matzo ball soup. Ashkenaz Deli doesn't quite fill the bill (their broth is pretty watery) but the matzo balls are delish--soft and light on the outside, a little denser toward the middle, just like I like them. When I can't get home, this is an entirely passable substitute.
As for the rest of the menu, I also enjoy their pastrami on rye. The meat is perfectly moist and rich, and the bread is fresh. Sides are decent--I like the pasta and potato salads. Their half chicken has way too much celery salt--I'd give it a pass.
Prices are Jewish deli prices, which is to say, on the high end. The lunch special is a decent deal, though--soup, side, and half sandwich for under $8. Service is sloooow, but reasonably good-natured, depending on who is behind the counter. Don't bother going in if you're in a hurry and there's a line.
The best example of my favorite sandwich can be found here (I used to eat these in Chicago all the time) -
Pastrami
Turkey
Swiss Cheese
Russian Dressing
Mustard
Outstanding
I would give this place five stars for their egg salad, on account of it bein' the best egg salad I have ever eaten in my entire egg-salad-eating-life, but none of their several daily soups are vegetarian. That's just inconsiderate, in this day and age. Some of the pasta salads are good, some are soggy and gross. I had a delicious potato knish but I think it might have had secret meat, the guy at the counter was dodgy about it.
But oh, that egg salad. Sheer utter brilliance.
This place is great.
I used to go here all the time for lunch when I interned in the Gold Coast a few years ago. The pastrami sandwich is ungodly.
Having just moved here from new york city, I was really impressed with the quality of the hot pastrami. That said, it's not the cheapest sandwich in the world (rarely is anywhere), and I think it had yellow mustard instead of a nice spicy brown.
Wow- I mean Wow I thought charging 2.50 for a 20oz Coke was ballsy but then delivering it at room temperature was just a spit in the face.
Do you think people like Coke at room temp?
Have you ever seen Coke sold at room temp in a restaurant?
HOW DO YOU SLEEP AT NIGHT SELLING A SANDWICH, POTATO SALAD, AND A COKE FOR $23 AND THEN SEND THE COKE AT ROOM TEMP!!!
The entire experience was just insulting.
Never Again!
I had read about this place awhile back and finally made it over here a couple of times in a month already. It's pricey for a sandwich but the portions are worth it, I think. The place offers a deal -- $7+ for half a sandwich, soup, and drink. Not too shabby, huh? If you get here on off-peak lunch hours, especially on the weekends, grab a seat and relax. Otherwise, you can take your sandwich to go or get it delivered (not sure of their delivery areas).
I have only had their chicken salad on wheat bread sandwiches here, and I do want to try some of the sandwiches (though I know I'll order the CS sandwich like always) the next time I'm in. I think they make their breads daily because the wheat and rye breads taste fresh. Yum. Located two doors away from a Corner Bakery and pushed back a little, one can miss this place if not paying attention.
PS: Call ahead for big orders...otherwise, patrons in the restaurant will be waiting while employers are busy working on those short notice orders.
I always enjoy places that offer a variety of comforting items at lower than average prices. Ashkenaz definitely fits that bill. Nothing there is too expensive, and the sandwiches/soups/side items all taste fresh and homemade. The matzo ball soup is something you can't find at many places, and is very soothing in the winter.
Also, the staff there was incredibly friendly, patient, and conversant with customers. Since friendliness is a pretty basic prerequisite at family style joints, this is definitely an important quality for me. I usually end up leaving with a smile!
This is, by far, the best meal I've had all week in Chi-town, even though this was not an authentic Jewish deli. And how does a Catholic Vietnamese gal know this?? Because my mouth-watering pastrami sandwich was served with cream cheese and chives.
Meat and dairy in one establishment?? Not kosher! But, oh my Jesus, this was the best pastrami in the world!!
Yes, it was an $8 sandwich, but worth every penny! I also had the Potato Pancake, but I think I tasted sauerkraut - not a huge fan of sauerkraut. The Tri-bean Salad was excellent! The Pasta Salad looked good, but I didn't have any.
So what would Jesus do, you ask? I'm certain that he would B-line for Ashkenaz!!
One word: JACKPOT!
I enjoy Eppy's, but this ... this ... this is the Jewish mecca. This is the ultimate sandwich joint where you can get the typical fare of knishes, kreplach, lox, matzo ball soup. You name it, they have it. This little gem would be easily missed if it weren't for the bright neon sign outside that screams "EAT MY SANDWICHES! THEY ARE SO GOOD!"
I had wanted to visit this place for years since spotting it while visiting town over spring break once while in college. I finally found the time to hit it up and boy was I pleasantly surprised at how good it really was.
I opted for the special, which includes a half-sandwich and your choice of two from salad, ice cream, chips or soup. I went for the turkey breast sandwich with matzo ball soup and the creamy coleslaw (they also have old fashioned style coleslaw, which is on the brighter side). The sandwich was made to order on challah (their bread options are endless) and the soup was hot enough that I transported it to a coffee shop and ate it more than an hour later. The coleslaw was near PERFECT, and for frequent readers you know my major restaurant test in this town is the coleslaw factor. This place wins, being second only to the coleslaw at Western Round-up. Though these places are probably about a millionth of a point apart on the scale of coleslaw quality.
That was a sandwich, soup and a side salad all for $7.50. This was more than enough food for that price -- the soup portion itself was gigantic, talk about the world's largest matzo ball. The coleslaw portion also was much larger than you'd get anywhere else (other than Western Round-up). Overall, the cost for the portion was on par if not an incredibly good deal.
This is my go-to spot now. I intend on going here again and again, with plans to try the turkey pastrami and the kreplach, not to mention the other Jewish delicacies that they sport. Amen for finally finding a delicious quick deli with everything I could hope for and more!
Great little deli. The portions might not be as large as other places, but their lunch combo (half sandwich, soup, and one side) was just the right amount of food for me (and all for only around $8). The matzo ball soup wasn't the most flavorful I've ever had, but it still tasted the part. The corned beef on challah I was extremely good and sliced perfectly thin. The potato salad wasn't too shabby either. One improvement could be their pickles, but since they were of course free, I can't really complain...
I was very excited to visit Ashkenaz, but my first clue on what the experience was going to be like should've been location: trapped between a Big Bowl and some overpriced apartments in the Gold Coast, Ashkenaz is one nasty deli to be in.
This diss aside, I enjoyed my turkey sandwich and loved the matzo ball soup. The salads, on the other hand, are naaaaaaaaasty. If I were to walk by it (as if I'd ever be casually walking around Gold Coast-area) I would probably eat there, but intentionally trying to get to it isn't worth it. If you want good "Jewish-style" food, you may as well just pay less for "gentile-style" since, trust me, there are no Jews serving food in that place and it's not kosher.
I can only comment on the food as my boss decided to graciously order us lunch today.
Holy pastrami, I think I'm in loooove! Fresh challe? Check. Meaty pastrami? Check. Yellow mustard? Check.
I had the 1/2 sandwich, soup and side combo. My grandma would have approved. The potato salad was awesome and the mushroom barley soup was quite delicious, though I would have liked more barley.
It's absurd how much food they give for the price! I can't wait to try more!
It's hard for me to dislike any place that sells matzoh ball soup and dr. brown's soda, BUT the help is seriously horrible. The last time I was here I asked one of the employees what an item behind the counter was. He shrugged and asked another worker. She said, "ummmm I dont know" in disgust and laughed. I felt like they were making fun of the food. I'll never be back. It's not like I was ordering weird jewish food from Walmart, I was in a freakin "jewish style" deli.
I've been going to Ashkenaz since I was a baby! It's always been good.
Their veggie soup is awesome!
Bagels, lox, salami, all wonderful
Memories, like the corners of my mind.......
Eat here. Don't like it? Eat here again to be sure.
Pastrami, corned beef, and Russian dressing on an onion roll made for a mouthgasm. Good god. So tasty, and the super salty pickle also provided was a perfect addition.
One of my top 3 places to have a sammich in Chi-Town, without question.
Great pastrami and corned beef. The sandwiches are sometimes huge(just depends on who is waiting on you). Decent bagels and lox too. Place has definately gone down hill since new management took over a few years ago. And it is on the Gold Coast so it is $$. But go around the corner and you'll still pay $6 for a craptastic sandwich from Corner Bakery.
I wasn't feeling too hot today so I stopped by Ashkenaz to stock up on some matzo ball soup and smiley cookies for the week...I always need a smiley cookie when I'm not feeling well!
The guys behind the counter are very slow. There wasn't even anyone else in there and it still took them about 10 minutes just to pour my soup. However, they are forgiven because it tastes so good and I'm almost out of my week's supply after just a day.
Ashkenaz has a fantastic corned beef on rye. Two hands must be used. The matzo ball soup was very good as well.
During the summer the outdoor seating is a good place to watch the beautiful people.
My only beef (ha!) with the place is the blasted long wait. We waited forever. 30 minutes for a deli sandwich is pretty unreasonable if you ask me.
I am a sucker for salted meats and Ashkenaz can really deliver the treat. I've been going through quite the lunch-time blues bender at work...and I've found my new retreat. This place is quiet enough for me to study while shoveling a slice of rye bread piled mountain high with corned beef and pastrami. The guy who made my sandwich took one look at me and probably could tell I'm an extra pickle girl.
This place is great and their delivery is so reasonable. But you have to order early as they get super busy! The lox are awesome and I love the soups!! Difficult parking thus the awesome delivery!!
Holy shit! The first day I joined Yelp i saw this place, and knew that i had to go there since it's so close. And for some reason I always forgot to go there. But today i finally got around to going there. And oh my gosh it was amazing. And i had a half a sandwich and soup because i just wanted a snack. And the sandwich was freaking huge, and there was a huge cup of soup as well. I also love pastrami, so i order the pastrami sandwich. And it was the best pastrami that I've ever had. I'm still thinking about it, and I'm just amazed about how awesome it was. I'll be going to this place constantly from now on. Just because it was the best pastrami sandwich in the history of pastrami (for me at least). This is is one of the best restaurants in the gold coast area. I haven't tried there bagels but i know i'll get to that soon.
For some reason I always forget about this place and I'm not sure why because it's pretty good! I've been here twice and got the lox and bagels both times...it was really good! There are only a few tables inside this small deli, but it wasn't that crowded either time I went there. You can also take out from here and I believe they deliver as well. I'll have to remember to order matzo ball soup from Ashkenaz the next time I'm not feeling well!
I found this place randomly with a friend, and was so thrilled to have found a good sandwich shop in the city. Finally a deli that puts more than one slice of meat on their sandwiches!
hot damn...their deli is friggin old school son! I've had the pastrami, the corn beef, and the lox. I felt like kosherific. I like how its sort of hidden next to a humongous big bowl that is Big Bowl. Their sandwiches may seem simple, but the tastes are all there and you don't need to add a thing. Don't let me start on the pickles either...as a pickle connoisseur (no homo), I was very impressed. Treat yourself to a lox sandwich...it's really fresh both literally and hip hop figuratively.
Nice... finally found a deli in Chicago with hot corned beef sandwiches. A little pricey for the size, but since a deli like this is hard to find, it's worth the added expense.
This is a gold coast gem- I don't mind spending my $ here at all. It's not fancy inside, and you can tell right away it's family owned. Order a sandwich and it'll be nice and big and yummy like you'd expect a Jewish deli sandwich to be. I give it a good review for two reasons- 1. Chicago is seriously lacking this kind of place. 2. It's so nice to find a place like this in the Gold Coast, where there aren't enough options for a quick lunch that don't involve a big chain experience.
Yum! I recommend the pastrami on rye with (real!) Russian dressing. Good luck finishing monstrous sandwiches. Four stars for being super-small (four tables or so) and surly service... Chicago could stand more places like this hidden jewel.
I got the recommendation to try this deli from someone doing my hair, or I probably would have never stopped in even though I pass it all of the time! They have a variety of hot soups and all different sandwiches. It's a cute little deli, not a lot of room to eat inside but there are a few tables. I've never tried the delivery but I heard that it's a pretty popular thing at this deli. Anyways, good sandwiches, good soup, fair prices and a nice change from your typical chain "soup and sandwich" type of place. Really like it.
Ashkenaz holds the honor of creating and serving the first pastrami on rye I had eaten in about 15 years. It did not disappoint. What a sandwich. What a place! Great soup, great sandwiches, addictive potato salad, and baked goods that make you want to buy them and eat them (a simple yet effective strategy for baked goods-- not to be underestimated). Sure the service can be slow, but if you're in a rush then you won't enjoy the food, so go somewhere else. The sandwich makers are artistes and very nice people and if they want to take their time slicing my pastrami into perfect wispy sheets of perfection, I will sit back and count the rugelach while they do so.
A little pricey if you add up, a soup, drink and nice sandwich, but you do get more than say at a Cosi or Panera. Good for variety and different things (matzo ball soup, pastrami) that you might only be able to find at a specialty deli.
Neighborhood: Streeterville
Category: Grocery
Neighborhood: The Loop
Category: Sandwiches
Neighborhood: Gold Coast
Category: Diners
Skokie, IL
Category: Delis
Neighborhood: The Loop
Category: Chocolatiers and Shops
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